Alloa goal hero Eddie Ferns hopes his winner in the 1-0 win over Montrose can give him a boost heading into the biggest season of his career.

The youngster’s 39th minute strike was enough to see off the SPFL League Two side in the Wasps’ latest pre-season friendly at Recreation Park on Tuesday evening and he now hopes that strike can help him to push his way into the starting eleven come the start of the competitive action.

The former Drumpchapel United star admits he is struggling to contain his excitement about playing in what many people see as the most competitive league in the country alongside Rangers, Hearts and Hibs.

Ferns told Advertiser sport, “I try not to let myself think about the season ahead because I get so excited and nervous at the same time. There are some big games at massive stadiums in front of huge crowds so it is a daunting thought for me but it is also something I cannot wait to be part of. I was only just signed when we faced Rangers at Ibrox in the cup two seasons ago and so I was disappointed to be left out of the squad. Hopefully this time around I can force my way into a first team spot but the gaffer knows I can play up front or on the flanks so maybe that will help my chances of being involved in some of the big games.

“The Montrose game was a good ninety minutes for the team and for me in particular because I felt a lot sharper than the weekend when I think the heat got to me a little. The training has been hard but it is starting to pay off and I feel better for another full game under my belt. My sharpness and touch has definitely improved from Saturday and it was great to get back on the score sheet again. I am hoping for more goals this season but I am definitely counting this as the first one!” Ferns insists the Wasps main focus this season will be league survival but says they must learn lessons from last season if they are to achieve it.

The 23-year-old also hopes to spark up a decent partnership with returning Recreation Park favourite Greig Spence.

He said, “I think myself and Spencey are well suited to each other. We are both quick and like to run at players so it is great to play alongside him and hopefully we can spark up a good partnership. Staying up is the main thing for us again this season because we know it will be another great season next year if we do that. It will be important for us to win our home games and to try to make Recreation Park a fortress. If we do that then we can stay up without much bother. I think last year proves how important it is to have a good start because when we hit that run with the heads down and getting beat every week, it is very hard to break. We have to take our chances this year because we played well in a lot of games that we lost last season so we must learn from that and be ruthless in front of goal this time around.” The young speedster believes that this weekend’s Oban Tournament can provide the perfect boost for the team heading into the season ahead.

Ferns added, “Hopefully the Oban trip will bring us on again. It will be good for our fitness with the short-sharp format and with the teams that are going it should be great preparation for us and we would love to go there and win it.”